Abstract: A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready-position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting the capture of images of surfaces of an environment visible from a default viewing position and capturing images of surfaces not visible from the default viewing position, e.g., occluded surfaces, are described. Occluded and non-occluded image portions are packed into one or more frames and communicated to a playback device for use as textures which can be applied to a model of the environment where the images were captured. An environmental model includes a model of surfaces which are occluded from view from a default viewing position but which may be viewed is the user shifts the user's viewing location. Occluded image content can be incorporated directly into a frame that also includes non-occluded image data or sent in frames of a separate, e.g., auxiliary content stream that is multiplexed with the main content stream which communicates image data corresponding to non-occluded environmental portions.

Abstract: A background image is also generated, e.g., by filling portions of a captured image where a foreground object was extracted and communicated to the playback device, Foreground objects are identified and point cloud representations of the foreground objects are generated and communicated to a playback device so that they can be used in generating images including the background which is communicated separately. In the case of a point cloud representation a number of points in an environment, e.g., 3D space, are communicated to the playback device along with color information. Thus in some embodiments a foreground object is represented as a set of points with corresponding color information on a per point basis. Foreground object information is communicated and processed in some embodiments at a different rate, e.g., faster rate, then the background textures. The playback device renders images which are sent to the display by first rendering a background layer using the communicated background information, e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for packing images into a frame and/or including additional content and/or graphics are described. A composite image is generated including at least one image in addition to another image and/or additional image content, e.g., a logo, texture, sign, or advertisement. In some embodiments, first and second pairs of stereoscopic images are combined, e.g., with additional image content to generate a composite image which is then encoded, e.g., using a UHD (Ultra High Definition) encoder. In some other embodiments, the rather than two pairs of stereo images a pair of stereo images are combined with images captured by two mono cameras. In various embodiments, the set of cameras which are sources of captured images for the composite image are dynamically selected, e.g., with different sets of cameras in a camera rig being selected at different times.

Abstract: A question-and-answer application with an “ask-to-answer” feature is described. The ask-to-answer feature enables any user to solicit an answer to a question from one or more users. Upon soliciting one or more users for an answer to a particular question, a message may be directed to the one or more users. The message may include a copy of the text of the question and may provide a mechanism enabling the one or more users to pass on answering the question. Subsequent to the solicitation, the question page may include a notification with information about the solicitation, including information identifying the group of users who have been asked to answer the question and the number of times the one or more users has been asked to provide an answer.

Abstract: A camera rig including one or more stereoscopic camera pairs and/or one or more light field cameras are described. Images are captured by the light field cameras and stereoscopic camera pairs are captured at the same time. The light field images are used to generate an environmental depth map which accurately reflects the environment in which the stereoscopic images are captured at the time of image capture. In addition to providing depth information, images captured by the light field camera or cameras is combined with or used in place of stereoscopic image data to allow viewing and/or display of portions of a scene not captured by a stereoscopic camera pair.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a nutritional composition and method of using and making the nutritional composition. The nutritional composition is an intact pea protein based nutrient composition for use in both enteral and oral feeding, and provides a nonallergenic diet for providing optimal nutrition to users. The nutritional composition is made from organic and plant-based ingredients. The nutritional composition has pea protein, phytochemical extracts, fatty acids, organic ingredients free of the top eight allergens and corn, and prebiotic fiber. The nutritional composition is provided in liquid form for enteral and/or oral feeding.

Abstract: Cells, such a T-cells, are provided that comprise cytokine receptors having increased activity in response to their ligand. For example, cell can comprise IL-2 and/or IL-15 receptors having increased surface expression or signaling activity. Cells of the embodiments have a significant growth advantage in the presence of cytokines and can be used, e.g., for enhanced adoptive cell transfer therapies.

Abstract: Encoding and streaming methods and apparatus are described. Objects in negative parallax in frame pairs, e.g., pairs of left and right eye images forming a stereoscopic image, are identified. An amount of negative parallax reduction implemented depends, in some embodiments, on the data rate being used for encoding and/or the amount of negative parallax detected in the frame pair to be encoded. The lower the supported data rate the greater the reduction in negative parallax in some embodiments. In some, but not all, embodiments objects in positive parallax, e.g., objects appearing to go into the page, are not subject to parallax reduction. When a lowest supported data rate is used mono encoding is used and parallax reduction steps are skipped. The same frame pair is encoded multiple times at different data rates. Different amounts of negative parallax reduction are performed for at least some of the different supported data rates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for streaming or playing back stereoscopic content are described. Camera dependent correction information is communicated to a playback device and applied in the playback device to compensate for distortions introduced by the lenses of individual cameras. By performing lens dependent distortion compensation in the playback device edges which might be lost if correction were performed prior to encoding are preserved. Distortion correction information may be in the form of UV map correction information. The correction information may indicate changes to be made to information in a UV map, e.g., at rendering time, to compensate for distortions specific to an individual camera. Different sets of correction information may be communicated and used for different cameras of a stereoscopic pair which provide images that are rendered using the same UV map. The communicated correction information is sometimes called a correction mesh since it is used to correct mesh related information.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a nutritional composition and method of using and making the nutritional composition. The nutritional composition is a hydrolyzed pea protein based nutrient composition for use in both enteral and oral feeding, and provides a non-allergenic diet for providing optimal nutrition to users. The nutritional composition is made from organic and plant-based ingredients. The nutritional composition has pea protein hydrolysates, phytochemical extracts, fatty acids, organic ingredients free of the top eight allergens and corn, and prebiotic fiber. The nutritional composition is provided in liquid form for enteral and/or oral feeding.

Abstract: A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready-position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples.

Abstract: The compositions and methods disclosed relate to DNA compositions, plant cells, seeds, plant parts that relate to maize plants with increased grain yield trait. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the maize DP-202216-6 event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the maize genome and the DNA sequences flanking the insertion site. Kits and conditions useful in conducting the assays are provided.

Abstract: An endoscopic stapler is disclosed. The stapler includes a staple member and an anvil member. The staple member may include a staple housing and the staple holder may include one or more staples. The anvil member may be spaced apart from the staple member and may configured to relatively move towards one another. A controller may be fluidly coupled to the staple member through a plurality of conduits. The controller may be configured to (a) direct a pressurized fluid to the staple member through a first conduit of the plurality of conduits to relatively move the staple member and the anvil member towards one another, and (b) direct the pressurize fluid through a second conduit of the plurality of conduits to eject one or more staples from the staple holder.

Abstract: A twin plate separation system, comprising a pressure plate, an intermediate plate facing the pressure plate, and a spring separator assembly. The spring separator assembly comprises a mounting extending out from the intermediate plate towards the pressure plate. A spring surrounds the mounting, and the spring is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. The mounting or another fixture can secure at least one drive strap to the intermediate plate. Alternatively, the mounting extends out of the pressure plate towards the intermediate plate, and the spring surrounds the mounting and is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. In this alternative, the intermediate plate does not comprise a hole for receiving the mounting.

Abstract: The compositions and methods disclosed relate to DNA compositions, plant cells, seeds, plant parts that relate to maize plants with increased grain yield trait. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the maize DP-202216-6 event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the maize genome and the DNA sequences flanking the insertion site. Kits and conditions useful in conducting the assays are provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for streaming or playing back stereoscopic content are described. Camera dependent correction information is communicated to a playback device and applied in the playback device to compensate for distortions introduced by the lenses of individual cameras. By performing lens dependent distortion compensation in the playback device edges which might be lost if correction were performed prior to encoding are preserved. Distortion correction information may be in the form of UV map correction information. The correction information may indicate changes to be made to information in a UV map, e.g., at rendering time, to compensate for distortions specific to an individual camera. Different sets of correction information may be communicated and used for different cameras of a stereoscopic pair which provide images that are rendered using the same UV map. The communicated correction information is sometimes called a correction mesh since it is used to correct mesh related information.

Abstract: Dental implantation systems and methods are provided, including a system comprising a patient-interacting device having an instrument for preparing a site within a patient's mouth for a dental implant. A guiding device in communication with a fiducial marker engaged with the patient's mouth receives the patient-interacting device, and guides the instrument, relative to the fiducial marker, in conjunction with user manipulation of the patient-interacting device. A controller device including a processor is in communication with the guiding device, and directs the patient-interacting device via the guiding device to prepare the site to receive the dental implant. An engagement sensor is operably engaged with the patient-interacting device and communicates with the controller device. The controller device is responsive to sensed disengagement between the patient-interacting device and the user to direct the guiding device to maintain the patient-interacting device at a minimum vertical disposition.

Abstract: The compositions and methods disclosed relate to DNA compositions, plant cells, seeds, plant parts that relate to maize plants with increased grain yield trait. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the maize DP-202216-6 event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the maize genome and the DNA sequences flanking the insertion site. Kits and conditions useful in conducting the assays are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for testing agronomic performance of transgenic traits and genome edits in plants and for accelerated selection of such plants. Methods evaluated include testing constructs for transgenic trait performance (T) using isolines. The methods comprise crossing events into different genetic backgrounds. Methods also comprise combining isoline data with F2:3 bulk data and developing breeding values across different genetic backgrounds for a higher level of confidence in selecting events.