Abstract: Improved cushioning elements for sports apparel, in particular for soles for sports shoes, are described. A cushioning element for sports apparel with a first deformation element is provided. The deformation element includes a plurality of randomly arranged particles of an expanded material, wherein there are first voids within the particles and/or between the particles.

Abstract: As described below, the disclosure provides compositions and methods for selecting a subject diagnosed with cancer for treatment with an antithrombotic agent, where the subject has a propensity to develop venous thromboembolism (VTE), has advanced stage cancer, and/or is at risk for cancer progression.

Abstract: Provided herein are rapid, high quality film sintering processes that include high-throughput continuous sintering of lithium-lanthanum zirconium oxide (lithium-stuffed garnet). The instant disclosure sets forth equipment and processes for making high quality, rapidly-processed ceramic electrolyte films. These processes include high-throughput continuous sintering of lithium-lanthanum zirconium oxide for use as electrolyte films. In certain processes, the film is not in contact with any surface as it sinters (i.e., during the sintering phase).

Abstract: The present invention relates to TLR2 agonist compounds and their compositions, and the use of such compounds and compositions in the prevention and/or treatment of respiratory infections, or diseases or conditions associated with viral or bacterial infections.

Abstract: ABSTRACT: An instrument for processing droplets in a microfluidic system. The instrument captures a time sequence of images of a droplet as it passes through a channel in a microfluidic system. The instrument also processes each image of the sequence of images using a convolutional neural network to count a number of cells or other entities visible in each image the droplet. This involves processing the count of the number of cells or other entities visible in each image of the droplet to determine an estimated number of cells or other entities in the droplet. The instrument controls a microfluidic process performed on the droplet, e.g. droplet dispensing, responsive to the estimated number of cells or other entities in the droplet. The instrument uses the changing orientation and disposition of droplet contents in combination with machine learning to improve monoclonality assurance.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to rechargeable batteries and solid electrolytes therefore which include lithium-stuffed garnet oxides, for example, in a thin film, pellet, or monolith format wherein the density of defects at a surface or surfaces of the solid electrolyte is less than the density of defects in the bulk. In certain disclosed embodiments, the solid-state anolyte, electrolyte, and catholyte thin films, separators, and monoliths consist essentially of an oxide that conducts Li+ ions. In some examples, the disclosure herein presents new and useful solid electrolytes for solid-state or partially solid-state batteries. In some examples, the disclosure presents new lithium-stuffed garnet solid electrolytes and rechargeable batteries which include these electrolytes as separators between a cathode and a lithium metal anode.

Abstract: Provided herein are rapid, high quality film sintering processes that include high-throughput continuous sintering of lithium-lanthanum zirconium oxide (lithium-stuffed garnet). The instant disclosure sets forth equipment and processes for making high quality, rapidly-processed ceramic electrolyte films. These processes include high-throughput continuous sintering of lithium-lanthanum zirconium oxide for use as electrolyte films. In certain processes, the film is not in contact with any surface as it sinters (i.e., during the sintering phase).

Abstract: Certain examples described herein relate to zero knowledge attestation systems and methods. In one example method, a computing entity obtains query data over at least one network from a messaging service. A query defined by the query data is matched against private data for the computing entity. A use-limited private-public key pair is obtained for the query and an identifier is generated or the computing entity using the public key. A query result package is then generated based on a match for the query. The query result package includes the generated identifier and acts as a zero knowledge attestation. The computing entity obtains content associated with the query that is addressed to the identifier uses the private key of the private-public key pair to authenticate communications that relate to the query.

Abstract: A surface cleaning head may include a fluid distributor configured to distribute a cleaning fluid, an agitator configured to absorb at least a portion of the distributed cleaning fluid and to agitate debris on the surface to be cleaned, a fluid stripper configured to remove, from the agitator, at least a portion of the distributed cleaning fluid absorbed by the agitator, a debris container, and a removable cover. The debris container may include a solid debris chamber and a fluid debris chamber. The removable cover may include a fluid catch plate configured to transfer at least a portion of the cleaning fluid removed from the agitator by the fluid stripper to the fluid debris chamber, the fluid catch plate being configured to selectively transition between an in-use position and a cleaning position when the removable cover is removed from the surface cleaning head.

Abstract: A method of processing droplets in a microfluidic system. The method may comprise capturing a time sequence of images of a droplet as it passes through a channel in a microfluidic system. The method may further comprise processing each image of the sequence of images using a convolutional neural network to count a number of cells or other entities visible in each image the droplet. The method may further comprise processing the count of the number of cells or other entities visible in each image of the droplet to determine an estimated number of cells or other entities in the droplet. The method/system may further comprise controlling a microfluidic process performed on the droplet responsive to the estimated number of cells or other entities in the droplet. Implementations of the method use the changing orientation and disposition of droplet contents in combination with machine learning to improve monoclonality assurance.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to methods and systems for dispensing a droplet, in particular a picolitre volume droplet containing one or more entities.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, computer program product, and system for managing execution of a workflow comprising a set of subworkflows, comprising optimizing the set of subworkflows using a deep neural network, wherein each subworkflow of the set of subworkflows has a set of tasks, wherein each task of the sets of tasks has a requirement of resources of a set of resources; wherein each task of the sets of tasks is enabled to be dependent on another task of the sets of tasks, training the deep neural network by: executing the set of subworkflows, collecting provenance data from the execution, and collecting monitoring data that represents the state of said set of resources, wherein the training causes the neural network to learn relationships between the states of said set of resources, the said sets of tasks, their parameters and the obtained performance, optimizing an allocation of resources of the set of resources to each task of the sets of tasks to ensure compliance with a user-defined quality metric b

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus is described including a housing supporting a suction source, a dirt collection container, and a cyclonic separation device for separating dirt from the airflow passing through the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a ducting member having an inlet in communication with an outlet from the cyclonic separation device and an outlet in communication with a passage leading to the suction source. The ducting member is removably connected to the housing or the dirt collection container and is rotatably moveable between locked and unlocked positions, and rotational movement of the ducting member from its unlocked position to its locked position aligns the outlet of the ducting member with the passage leading to the suction source.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, computer program product, and system for managing execution of a workflow comprising a set of subworkflows, comprising optimizing the set of subworkflows using a deep neural network, wherein each subworkflow of the set of subworkflows has a set of tasks, wherein each task of the sets of tasks has a requirement of resources of a set of resources; wherein each task of the sets of tasks is enabled to be dependent on another task of the sets of tasks, training the deep neural network by: executing the set of subworkflows, collecting provenance data from the execution, and collecting monitoring data that represents the state of said set of resources, wherein the training causes the neural network to learn relationships between the states of said set of resources, the said sets of tasks, their parameters and the obtained performance, optimizing an allocation of resources of the set of resources to each task of the sets of tasks to ensure compliance with a user-defined quality metric b

Abstract: A building toy set is disclosed herein. The building toy set may include a plurality of elongate stick members, at least one of the plurality of elongate stick members having at least one rounded end; and a plurality of connector members, at least one of the plurality of connector members being in the form of a two-sided parallel connector having a body portion defining two slots, each of the two slots being disposed adjacent to, and extending parallel to one another. At least one of the plurality of connector members may include a body portion defining a bulb-shaped slot bounded by a straight wall portion and at least one curved wall portion, the at least one curved wall portion enabling one of the plurality of elongate stick members to be disposed at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the body portion of the connector member.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, computer program product, and system for managing execution of a workflow comprising a set of subworkflows, comprising optimizing the set of subworkflows using a deep neural network, wherein each subworkflow of the set of subworkflows has a set of tasks, wherein each task of the sets of tasks has a requirement of resources of a set of resources; wherein each task of the sets of tasks is enabled to be dependent on another task of the sets of tasks, training the deep neural network by: executing the set of subworkflows, collecting provenance data from the execution, and collecting monitoring data that represents the state of said set of resources, wherein the training causes the neural network to learn relationships between the states of said set of resources, the said sets of tasks, their parameters and the obtained performance, optimizing an allocation of resources of the set of resources to each task of the sets of tasks to ensure compliance with a user-defined quality metric b

Abstract: A cyclonic separator device for removing dust or debris from dirt-laden air, the device having a separating chamber, an inlet, an outlet, and a shroud that is connected to the separating chamber at one end, and provides a plurality of openings for the passage of air to the outlet. The device further includes a dirt collection chamber in communication with the separating chamber. The separating chamber includes an airflow directing formation which is connected to an inner surface of a generally cylindrical portion and which extends inwardly towards a central axis of the generally cylindrical portion. The airflow directing formation provides a surface which follows a substantially helical path that extends away from the inlet as it extends circumferentially around the inner surface of the generally cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A vehicle brake component for collecting brake dust that includes a body having a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion, and a magnet having a collection side, an adherence side, and one or more side edges separating the collection side and the adherence side. The collection side is configured to collect brake dust by directly facing the rotor, and the adherence side is directly coupled to the body at the trailing edge portion. In one embodiment, the body of the vehicle brake component is a backing plate body of a brake pad, and in another embodiment, the body of the vehicle brake component is a caliper housing or a caliper bracket.

Abstract: We describe instruments, and cartridges therefor, for processing droplets of water in oil-in-water emulsions, the droplets containing biological entities such as cells. In one embodiment a method of such processing comprises: providing a plurality of the entities in a fluid: preparing a droplet from said fluid: determining whether said droplet contains one or more entities of said plurality of entities, or whether said droplet does not contain a said entity; sorting said droplet dependent on an outcome of said determination; and dispensing said sorted droplet into a reservoir, wherein said dispensing comprises: identifying said sorted droplet for dispensing; extracting said sorted droplet from a first fluidic flow path of said fluid by transferring said sorted droplet from said first fluidic flow path into a second fluidic flow path; and ejecting said sorted droplet from said second fluidic flow path into said reservoir by applying pressure to said second fluidic flow path.

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, are nucleic acid sequencing devices with one or more integrated heating elements to enable thermal control of fluidic solutions.