Abstract: The present invention provides engineered protease polypeptides and compositions thereof. The engineered protease polypeptides have been optimized to provide improved activity, improved thermostability, protease stability, autolytic stability, and stability under a range of pH conditions, including acidic (pH<7) and basic (pH>7) conditions. The invention also relates to the use of the compositions comprising the engineered protease polypeptides for therapeutic and/or nutritional purposes. The present invention also provides polynucleotides encoding the engineered protease polypeptides, as well as methods for making the engineered polynucleotides and protease polypeptides.

Abstract: The substrate for diffusing volatile substances comprises a dispersible binder and a natural material, and the percentages by weight in the dry state are: dispersible binder: 15-45%; and natural material: 55-75%. It may also comprise a preservative. It provides a substrate that provides constant and durable air diffusion properties.

Abstract: An expandable clot mobilizer device for extraction of an occlusion from a blood vessel is provided, which comprises a working portion including a plurality of crowns of cells. Each cell comprises an open area bordered by two proximal cell struts, two distal cell struts, and two middle cell struts. The proximal cell struts each extending distally from a common proximal end to a proximal end of a respective one of the two middle cell struts, the distal cell struts each extending proximally from a common distal end to a distal end of a respective one of the two middle cell struts, each middle cell strut in each crown bordering two adjacent cells in that crown and each middle cell strut being adapted and configured to be more flexible than the distal cell strut and the proximal cell strut to which it extends. The clot mobilizer also comprises a tapered portion.

Abstract: A self-expandable medical device for advancement through vasculature to an expansion site in a blood vessel is disclosed. The device comprises a working portion and a connection portion that can be connected to a pusher. The working portion provides an outward radial force at every diameter between and including the diameter of a compressed and an expanded configurations, and comprises a plurality of crowns of cells comprising an open area bordered by two proximal cell struts, two distal cell struts, and two middle cell struts. The proximal cell struts each extend distally from a common proximal end to a proximal end of a respective one of the two middle cell struts. The distal cell struts each extend proximally from a common distal end to a distal end of a respective one of the two middle cell struts. Each middle cell strut is more flexible than the distal cell strut and proximal cell strut to which it extends.

Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, including receiving, by a wireless device of a first wireless network, a control request frame from a second access node of a second wireless network, the control request frame including at least a number of nulls for the wireless device. The wireless device selects a subset of antenna elements, wherein the number of antenna elements is in accordance with the number of nulls for the wireless device, and the antenna elements are selected based on reception powers of antenna elements of at least a frame from a first access node of the first wireless network and/or the second access node of the second wireless network. The wireless device transmits a control response frame with the selected antenna elements, and a data frame to the first access node with the selected antenna elements.

Abstract: A characterization device, system, and method for characterizing reflective elements from the light beams reflected in it. The device has two variable-gain detectors on a common structure, which can be portable or fixed, and for capturing light beams reflected by a reflective element, and from at least one processor characterizing the quality of the reflected light beams and evaluating the quality of the reflective element from its reflective capacity. Each detector has a lens for increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the reflected beam or beams, a light sensor on which the beam or beams captured by the lens are focused, an automatic gain selection system associated with the optical sensor, and a data communication device associated with the device itself. A characterization system and a characterization method for characterizing reflective elements from the quality of the light beams reflected in at least one reflective element or heliostat.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling robotic movement of a tool based on one or more virtual boundaries. The system comprises a tool and a manipulator to support the tool. A control system controls operation of the manipulator and movement of the tool based on a relationship between the tool and the one or more virtual boundaries associated with a target site. The control system includes a boundary handler to determine whether the tool is in compliance with the one or more virtual boundaries or is in violation of the one or more virtual boundaries.

Abstract: In one aspect, devices for light treatment of skin are described herein. A device described herein, in some embodiments, comprises an interior compartment having a proximal end and a distal end, and an optical aperture disposed at the distal end. The device also comprises a laser or BBL source that produces a laser or BBL beam. The laser or BBL beam has a first optical path within the interior compartment, between the proximal end and the distal end. Additionally, the first optical path exits the interior compartment through the optical aperture. The device further comprises a camera that receives light from the aperture. The light received from the aperture has a second optical path within the interior compartment. Further, a selectively reflective optical element is disposed in the first and second optical paths. The selectively reflective optical element generally transmits the laser or BBL beam but generally reflects at least a portion of the light from the aperture toward the camera.

Abstract: In one aspect, devices for light treatment of skin are described herein. A device described herein, in some embodiments, comprises an interior compartment having a proximal end and a distal end, and an optical aperture disposed at the distal end. The device also comprises a laser or BBL source that produces a laser or BBL beam. The laser or BBL beam has a first optical path within the interior compartment, between the proximal end and the distal end. Additionally, the first optical path exits the interior compartment through the optical aperture. The device further comprises an imaging system that receives a return signal from the aperture. The return signal received from the aperture has a second path within the interior compartment. Further, a selectively reflective optical element is disposed in the first and second optical paths. The selectively reflective optical element generally transmits the laser or BBL beam.

Abstract: A cognitive radio system may include cognitive radio frequency (RF) radios and a controller configured to selectively change at least one operating parameter of the cognitive RF radios based upon a cognitive group hierarchy. The cognitive group hierarchy may include a first group based upon a signal modulation classification, a second group based upon a waveform requirement, a third group based upon an optimal cognitive RF radio path, a fourth group based upon a cognitive RF radio dynamic spectrum allocation, and a fifth group based upon frequency hopping.

Abstract: The substrate for diffusing volatile substances comprises a dispersible binder and a biodegradable material, the percentages by weight on the dry state being preferably: dispersible binder: 15-45% and biodegradable material: 55-75%. It may also comprise a biodegradable preservative such as sodium benzoate. It permits to provide a biodegradable substrate to diffuse volatile substances, which has a short biodegradation time.

Abstract: A non-limiting embodiment of a titanium alloy comprises, in weight percentages based on total alloy weight: 5.5 to 6.5 aluminum; 1.5 to 2.5 tin; 1.3 to 2.3 molybdenum; 0.1 to 10.0 zirconium; 0.01 to 0.30 silicon; 0.1 to 2.0 germanium; titanium; and impurities. A non-limiting embodiment of the titanium alloy comprises a zirconium-silicon-germanium intermetallic precipitate, and exhibits a steady-state creep rate less than 8×10?4 (24 hrs)?1 at a temperature of at least 890° F. under a load of 52 ksi.

Abstract: A medical instrument port is described for use with a surgical mask or other protective face covering. The medical instrument port provides a sealed pathway through which a medical instrument can be passed without exposing the clinician to aerosolized droplets expelled from the patient's respiratory system when the medical instrument is introduced into the patient's nasal and/or oral passages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for balancing load in an area of a wireless network comprising first nodes operating according to a first Radio Access Technology and at least one second node operating according to a second Radio Access Technology. The method comprises establishing a connection between a user device and a first node; receiving an indication of an entry threshold for establishing a connection between the user device and a second node during a current time period, wherein the entry threshold is determined in dependence on an expected usage requirement for the area of the wireless network during the current time period; determining, by the user device, whether a parameter of a signal received from the second node exceeds the entry threshold; and responsive to determining that the parameter of the signal received from the second node exceeds the entry threshold, establishing, by the first node, a dual connectivity session between the user device and both the first and the second nodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides engineered amylase polypeptides and compositions thereof. The engineered amylase polypeptides have been optimized to provide improved thermostability, protease stability, and stability under a range of pH conditions, including acidic (pH <7) conditions. The invention also relates to the use of the compositions comprising the engineered amylase polypeptides for therapeutic and/or nutritional purposes. The present invention also provides polynucleotides encoding the engineered amylase polypeptides, as well as methods for making the engineered polynucleotides and amylase polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-human animal model of chronic glaucoma. In addition, the invention refers to a method for the preparation of said animal model, as well as to the use thereof.

Abstract: In general, one aspect disclosed features a computer-implemented method comprising: determining whether Global Positioning System (GPS) location data are available; responsive to determining the GPS location data are available, causing transmission of a first message in National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) format, the first message comprising the GPS location data; and responsive to determining the GPS location data are not available: determining a location based on non-GPS location data, generating a second message in NMEA format, the second message representing the determined location, and transmitting the second message.

Abstract: A composition containing ammonium polyphosphate and at least one alkali metal salt or alkaline-earth metal salt are provided along with a process for preparing the composition and uses of the composition as a flame retardant and/or coating material.