Abstract: Apparatus and methods for therapy delivery are disclosed. In one embodiment, a therapy delivery system includes a plurality of movable components including a radiation therapy nozzle and a patient pod for holding a patient, a patient registration module for determining a desired position of at least one of the plurality of movable components, and a motion control module for coordinating the movement of the least one of the plurality of movable components from a current position to the desired position.

Abstract: A cuff system includes a flexible substantially tubular sheath having a distal end, a proximal end, a central longitudinal axis, and a central channel extending along the longitudinal axis. The system also includes a first guide disposed at the proximal end of the sheath. The first guide is configured to control insertion of a cuff connector into the central channel in a first direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The system further includes an orifice proximate the distal end of the sheath. The orifice is configured to enable fluid connection between a portion of the cuff connector and an inflatable cuff while a remainder of the cuff connector is disposed within the central channel.

Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic device includes forming a photovoltaic absorption stack on a substrate including one or more of I-III-VI2 and I2-II-IV-VI4 semiconductor material. A transparent conductive contact layer is deposited on the photovoltaic absorption stack at a temperature less than 200 degrees Celsius. The transparent conductive contact layer has a thickness of about one micron and is formed on a front light-receiving surface. The surface includes pyramidal structures due to an as deposited thickness. The transparent conductive contact layer is wet etched to further roughen the front light-receiving surface to reduce reflectance.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate (10) including at least one light sensor (12); an interconnect structure (20) over the substrate; at least one passivation layer (30) over the interconnect structure, said passivation layer including a first area over the at least one light sensor; and a gas sensor such as a moisture sensor (50) at least partially on a further area of the at least one passivation layer, wherein the gas sensor comprises a gas sensitive layer (46?) in between a first electrode (42) and a second electrode (44), the gas sensitive layer further comprising a portion (46?) over the first area. A method of manufacturing such an IC is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treating an beverage, comprising exposing the beverage to an ion exchange matrix that bind one or more ionic constituents present in the beverage and reduce concentrations of the one or more ionic constituents in the beverage, wherein the ionic constituents have a noxious effect on humans.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating a cancer comprising: a. administering a Btk inhibitor to a subject sufficient to result in an increase or appearance in the blood of a subpopulation of lymphocytes defined by immunophenotyping; b. determining the expression profile of one or more biomarkers from one or more subpopulation of lymphocytes; and c. administering a second agent based on the determined expression profile.

Abstract: A fixed bladed drill bit has a working face that includes a plurality of blades converging at a center of the working face and diverging towards a gauge of the bit, each blade having a leading face and a trailing face, and at least one row of cutting elements disposed on at least one of the plurality of blades proximate to the leading face of the blade, where the row of cutting elements includes at least one pointed cutting element having a cutting end with a rounded apex and at least one shearing cutter. The at least one shearing cutter includes a first shearing cutter positioned proximate to a periphery of the working face.

Abstract: A database statement can be identified in a software artifact that is configured to issue the database statement. At least one execution plan for the database statement can be retrieved, and reference(s) to database object(s) can be identified in the execution plan(s). Metadata from the reference(s) can be assembled, where the metadata can reflect one or more dependencies of the software artifact on the object(s). The metadata can be included in a data structure.

Abstract: An electronic smoking article includes a reservoir containing a liquid material and having an outlet, a capillary having a capillary inlet and a capillary outlet, the capillary inlet of the capillary in communication with the outlet of the reservoir, a heater operable to heat the capillary to a temperature sufficient to at least initially volatilize liquid material contained within the capillary, and a shuttle valve between the outlet of the reservoir and the capillary inlet. The shuttle valve is operable to prevent release of liquid material from the reservoir when the shuttle valve is in a closed position and is operable to release liquid material from the reservoir when the shuttle valve is in an open position.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting to a terminal post. A contact is provided in electrical engagement with the terminal post regardless of the orientation of the contact with respect to the terminal post. A locking slide is moveably mounted to the housing body. A first reference member is provided on a first end of the body of the connector, the first reference member is provided proximate a first sidewall of the body of the connector. A second reference member is provided on the first end of the body of the connector, the second reference member is provided proximate a second sidewall of the body of the connector. When the locking slide is in the prelocked position, the first reference member is visible and when the locking slide is in the locked position, the second reference member is visible.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of detecting a level of cell injury in a subject, the method comprising detecting an amount of extracellular telomeres in a biological sample from the subject. The amount of extracellular telomeres as compared to a control amount indicates the level of cell injury in the subject. Further provided is a kit for detecting a level of apoptosis in a subject, the kit comprises first and second nucleic acid sequences, wherein the first and second nucleic acid sequences hybridize with an extracellular telomere; and a container. The first and second nucleic acid sequences can comprise SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of assembling an intravascular device is provided that include positioning a first tubular member around a plurality of conductors and a core member such that the plurality of conductors and the core member are at least partially positioned within a lumen of the first tubular member, the first tubular member including an opening extending along a length of the first tubular member in communication with the lumen; positioning a first conductive member around the first tubular member; advancing a first of the plurality of conductors through the opening of the first tubular member, longitudinally between the first tubular member and the first conductive member, and through to a position adjacent to the first conductive member; and electrically coupling the first of the plurality of conductors to the first conductive member.

Abstract: A system including a stationary housing having a recess formed therein and a thrust plate positioned within the recess in the housing. The thrust plate may have a non-circular profile for preventing rotation of the thrust plate relative to the housing, and may be secured within the recess without the use of fasteners or dowels. The thrust plate may have a body that is generally annular in shape, with one or more ears extending radially from the body.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treatment, prevention or management of obesity, obesity related disorders, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome in a subject by administering a ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) inhibitor and/or a ghrelin receptor antagonist to the subject. The invention also provides ghrelin receptor antagonists of formula (VII): A11-A12-A13-Gly-Ser-A14-Phe-Leu-A15-A16-A17-A18, wherein each of A11, A12, and A13 is independently absent, an amino acid, or an amino protecting group; each of A15, A16, A17, and A18 is independently absent or an amino acid; and A14 is a serine conjugated with a —C(O)C1-C20alky or a diaminopropionic acid conjugated with a —C(O)C1-C20alkyl group, provided that at least one of A11, A12, or A13 is present.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a vent arrangement integrated with a refill port disposed on the outer shell of an implantable drug-delivery device. The vent arrangement may utilize a tiered structure with two septums in a space-efficient configuration that facilitates both venting of pressure and refill of the drug reservoir.

Abstract: A method for determining an issue in an inkjet nozzle with impedance measurements, includes taking a first impedance measurement to detect a drive bubble with an impedance sensor, and taking a second impedance measurement to detect said drive bubble with said impedance sensor after said first impedance measurement.

Abstract: This invention is directed to compound of Formula I and methods of using these compounds in the treatment of conditions in which modulation of a cathepsin, particularly cathepsin K or cathepsin L, will be therapeutically useful.

Abstract: This invention relates to purification and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of a crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In particular, the process involves one or more sidestreams to regulate C3+ alcohols concentration in the recovered ethanol.

Abstract: Message management services can include processing an email to identify relevant content from among all content in the email and converting the identified relevant content into a simple, easy-to-read format. For example, message management services can apply multiple parsing strategies to an email. Each strategy can attempt to parse the email to identify relevant content and to output results that include any identified relevant content and an associated confidence score. The results having the highest confidence score can be selected. The identified relevant content included in the selected results can be converted into a flat string with stylings and links for displaying relevant content of the email in a simple, easy-to-read format.

Abstract: The present invention provides composite proteins, including antibodies, which show reduced immunogenicity. In particular, composite antibodies for use in humans are provided, in particular antibodies which have been modified to remove one or more T-cell epitopes. Methods for generating such proteins are also provided.