Abstract: A vacuum pad may include a first layer, a top layer that at least partially forms a top surface of the vacuum pad, a plurality of holes extending through the top layer into an interior space located between at least a portion of the first layer and at least a portion of the top layer, an outlet tube in fluid communication with the interior space, a raised barrier that surrounds the plurality of holes, a plurality of dividers located in the interior space that extend along the first layer from a first end of the respective divider located adjacent to the outlet tube, and at least one spacer located in the interior space that has a different shape than the plurality of dividers. The vacuum pad may include at least one channel and at least one collection area located in the interior space.

Abstract: A laser surgery system includes a light source, an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a confocal detection assembly and preferably a confocal bypass assembly. The light source generates an electromagnetic beam. The scanning assembly scans a focal point of the electromagnetic beam to different locations within the eye. An optical path propagates the electromagnetic beam from a light source to the focal point, and also propagates a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along at least a portion of the optical path. The optical path includes an optical element associated with a confocal detection assembly that diverts a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor. The sensor generates an intensity signal indicative of intensity the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location. The confocal bypass assembly reversibly diverts the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the optical element.

Abstract: Exemplary semiconductor processing systems may include a chamber body including sidewalls and a base. The chamber body may define an interior volume. The systems may include a substrate support extending through the base of the chamber body. The substrate support may be configured to support a substrate within the interior volume. The systems may include a faceplate positioned within the interior volume of the chamber body. The faceplate may define a plurality of apertures through the faceplate. The systems may include a leveling apparatus seated on the substrate support. The leveling apparatus may include a plurality of piezoelectric pressure sensors.

Abstract: In some embodiments, exemplary user interfaces for provisioning an electronic device with an account are described. In some embodiments, exemplary user interfaces for providing usage information of an account are described. In some embodiments, exemplary user interfaces for providing visual feedback on a representation of an account are described. In some embodiments, exemplary user interfaces for managing the tracking of a category are described. In some embodiments, exemplary user interfaces for managing a transfer of items are described. In some embodiments, exemplary user interfaces for managing an authentication credential connected with an account are described. In some embodiments, exemplary user interfaces for activating a physical account object are described. In some embodiments, exemplary user interfaces for managing balance transfers are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to substituted indazole propionic acid derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the tautomers thereof that can activate adenosine 5?-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising AMPK-activating substituted indazole propionic acid derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the tautomers thereof and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, and methods of treating a condition comprising administering AMPK-activating substituted indazole propionic acid derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the tautomers thereof.

Abstract: Memory circuitry comprises vertically-alternating tiers of insulative material and memory cells. The memory cells individually comprising a transistor comprise a first source/drain region, a second source/drain region, and a channel region between the first and second source/drain regions. A gate is operatively-proximate the channel region. A capacitor comprises a first capacitor electrode, a second capacitor electrode, and a capacitor insulator between the first and second capacitor electrodes. The first capacitor electrode is directly electrically coupled to the first source/drain region. The second capacitor electrode of multiple of the capacitors is directly electrically coupled with one another. Digitlines extend elevationally through the vertically-alternating tiers. Individual of the second source/drain regions of individual of the transistors that are in different memory-cell tiers are directly electrically coupled to individual of the digitlines.

Abstract: Methods for preparing conjugated dienes are described. An ?,?-unsaturated E olefin intermediate may be prepared via cross-metathesis using a catalyst comprising a transition metal (e.g., ruthenium), a first carbene ligand (e.g., a substituted indenylidene) and an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand (e.g., an imidazolidinylidene). The catalyst further includes a phenylphosphine ligand, a tri(isopropoxy)phosphine ligand, a dimethylsulfoxide ligand, an acetonitrile ligand, or a pyridine ligand. Following the cross metathesis-step, the ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde intermediate may be converted to the conjugated diene product via reaction with a phosphonium ylide. Products obtained via the methods of the disclosure include (7E,9Z)-dodeca-7,9-dien-1-yl acetate, a pheromone produced by Lobesia botrana (European grapevine moth), and other insect pheromones.

Abstract: A laser surgery system includes a light source, an eye interface device, a scanning assembly, a confocal detection assembly and preferably a confocal bypass assembly. The light source generates an electromagnetic beam. The scanning assembly scans a focal point of the electromagnetic beam to different locations within the eye. An optical path propagates the electromagnetic beam from a light source to the focal point, and also propagates a portion of the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location back along at least a portion of the optical path. The optical path includes an optical element associated with a confocal detection assembly that diverts a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation to a sensor. The sensor generates an intensity signal indicative of intensity the electromagnetic beam reflected from the focal point location. The confocal bypass assembly reversibly diverts the electromagnetic beam along a diversion optical path around the optical element.

Abstract: Methods for forecasting case counts for a future date in one or more geographic areas of persons infected by a disease is disclosed. The presence of the disease in a biological sample is testable by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. A load of one or more pathogens associated with the disease correlates with a PCR cycle which indicates presence of the one or more pathogens, and is referred to as a threshold cycle (Ct). Data relevant to forecasting the case counts including Ct data and other data is received. The Ct data comprises Ct values from PCR tests of biological samples from persons within the one or more geographic areas. Arrays of feature data for processing by a trained machine learning model are generated, comprising Ct features and other features obtained from the data. A forecasted number of infected persons are generated by processing the arrays using machine learning.

Abstract: A method of automatically sequencing or basecalling one or more DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules of a biological sample is described. The method comprises using a capillary electrophoresis genetic analyzer to measure the biological sample to obtain at least one input trace comprising digital data corresponding to fluorescence values for a plurality of scans. Scan labelling probabilities for the plurality of scans are generated using a trained artificial neural network comprising a plurality of layers including convolutional layers. A basecall sequence comprising a plurality of basecalls for the one or more DNA molecules based on the scan labelling probabilities for the plurality of scans is determined.

Abstract: A deep basecaller system for Sanger sequencing and associated methods are provided. The methods use deep machine learning. A Deep Learning Model is used to determine scan labelling probabilities based on an analyzed trace. A Neural Network is trained to learn the optimal mapping function to minimize a Connectionist Temporal Classification (CTC) Loss function. The CTC function is used to calculate loss by matching a target sequence and predicted scan labelling probabilities. A Decoder generates a sequence with the maximum probability. A Basecall position finder using prefix beam search is used to walk through CTC labelling probabilities to find a scan range and then the scan a position of peak labelling probability within the scan range for each called base. Quality Value (QV) is determined using a feature vector calculated from CTC labelling probabilities as an index into a QV look-up table to find a quality score.

Abstract: A method of automatically sequencing or basecalling one or more DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules of a biological sample is described. The method comprises using a capillary electrophoresis genetic analyzer to measure the biological sample to obtain at least one input trace comprising digital data corresponding to fluorescence values for a plurality of scans. Scan labelling probabilities for the plurality of scans are generated using a trained artificial neural network comprising a plurality of layers including convolutional layers. A basecall sequence comprising a plurality of basecalls for the one or more DNA molecules based on the scan labelling probabilities for the plurality of scans is determined.

Abstract: A biological analysis system and an associated method are provided. The method is used for recovering off scale data in an image produced by a camera in a capillary electrophoresis instrument. The method comprises the steps of identifying bins of the image where electron counts exceed a maximum number of counts; setting an off-scale flag for the identified bins; and processing the image to obtain a recovered dye signal, based on the flag set for each bin, and using a dye matrix.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for validating an instrument is provided. The method includes receiving amplification data from a validation plate to generate a plurality of amplification curves. The validation plate includes a sample of a first quantity and a second quantity, and each amplification curve includes an exponential region. The method further includes determining a set of fluorescence thresholds based on the exponential regions of the plurality of amplification curves and determining, for each fluorescence threshold of the set, a first set of cycle threshold (Ct) values of amplification curves generated from the samples of the first quantity and a second set of Ct values of amplification curves generated from the samples of the second quantity. The method includes calculating if the first and second quantities are sufficiently distinguishable based on Ct values at each of the plurality of fluorescence thresholds.

Abstract: A biological analysis system and an associated method are provided. The method is used for recovering off scale data in an image produced by a camera in a capillary electrophoresis instrument. The method comprises the steps of identifying bins of the image where electron counts exceed a maximum number of counts; setting an off-scale flag for the identified bins; and processing the image to obtain a recovered dye signal, based on the flag set for each bin, and using a dye matrix.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for detecting variants in electropherogram data is provided. The method includes receiving electropherogram data from an instrument and analyzing the electropherogram data to identify mixed bases in the electropherogram data. The method further includes validating the identified mixed bases. Then the method includes determining variants in the electropherogram data based on the validated mixed bases.

Abstract: Embodiments implementing selected automated quality control operations in sample processing instruments that analyze dye-labeled samples are disclosed. In some embodiments, temperature and/or pressure parameters are measured and compared to thresholds to determine whether warning should be provided and/or actions taken. Embodiments for implementing automated correction of spectral error during the instrument's normal runtime operation without requiring the user to conduct a special, separate calibration run are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present teachings comprise systems and methods for calibrating the background or baseline signal in a PCR or other reaction. The background signal derived from detected emissions of sample wells can be subjected to a normalized statistical metric, and be compared to a threshold or other standard to discard outlier cycles or other extraneous data. According to various embodiments, a relative standard deviation (relativeSTD) for the background component can be generated by dividing the standard deviation by the median of differences across all wells, where the difference is defined as the difference between maximum and minimum pixel values of a well. The relativeSTD as a metric is not sensitive to machine-dependent variations in absolute signal output that can be caused by different gain settings, different LED draw currents, different optical paths, or other instrumental variations. More accurate background characterization can be achieved.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for detecting variants in electropherogram data is provided. The method includes receiving electropherogram data from an instrument and analyzing the electropherogram data to identify mixed bases in the electropherogram data. The method further includes validating the identified mixed bases. Then the method includes determining variants in the electropherogram data based on the validated mixed bases.