Abstract: Exemplary embodiments pertain to a solution containing carbon black. The solution may be applied to a membrane filter of a microbial enumeration system as a post-rinse solution (i.e., after the membrane filter is rinsed with the sample of interest). The solution may reduce or suppress background autofluorescence, thereby improving detection and enumeration of colony forming units (CFUs) or other microbiological entities. The solution may be used in connection with a method for performing sample preparation for a microbial enumeration system. The carbon black solution may be manufactured according to a manufacturing process detailed herein.

Abstract: A media and shopping interface for purchasing items on media, including a user system having a user interface displaying items for purchase that is accessible through a user initiating a connection between a mobile device and a media screen that pushes data of items for purchase or available bets to the mobile device, wherein the user interface is remote from the media being shown, the user system including software stored on non-transitory computer readable media that recognizes and tags purchasable items in the media and the user system including artificial intelligence integrated therein, wherein the user system displays items for purchase, the user system including a one-click purchase function allowing for secure and efficient purchases. A method of shopping on media. A method of integrating the media and shopping interface with an external service provider. A method of collecting and analyzing advertising data.

Abstract: A device for detecting a bypass lane of a signaling unit is provided. The device is configured to determine driving data for a plurality of trips of one or more motor vehicles in an environment of the signaling unit, and to determine a subset of the plurality of trips on the basis of the driving data, in which a holding request of the signaling unit for holding at the signaling unit has not been followed. The device is further configured to detect a bypass lane of the signaling unit on the basis of the determined subset of trips.

Abstract: An electromagnetic rising stem valve includes a stopper configured to block flow of fluid within a pipe. The stopper is connected to a shaft configured to be rotated via an electromagnetic force generated between magnets attached to the outside of the shaft and magnets surrounding an outside surface of a section of the valve. The rising stem valve is further able to include a second shaft which is directly rotated by the electromagnetic force, to open, closed, and one or more semi-open positions, and which is coupled to the shaft connected to the stopper via gearing. Advantageously, the one or more shafts and any gearing is entirely contained within a gear housing, with the electromagnetic force being generated by interaction with magnets outside the housing entirely, preventing unwanted leakage of fluid from the pipe into the environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure encompasses compositions and methods for effectively treating at least one symptom or sign of A? plaque or cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) associated symptoms, or for decreasing amyloid plaque load or CAA load. The method comprises administering an effective amount of an anti-ApoE antibody to a mammalian subject, such as to a human.

Abstract: An automatic oil dispenser (10) for mounting onto an objective (14) in an inverted microscope system, the dispenser comprising: an outer annulus (52) configured to contact the objective to form a cavity; an inlet port (20) below the outer annulus (52) for inputting oil into the outer annulus (52); a pump for driving oil upwards through and out of the dispenser; an inner annulus (56) which tapers to an annular outlet (36); and a channel (53) connecting the two annuli such that oil fills the outer annulus (56), then the inner annulus (52) and then erupts through the outlet (36) onto an objective lens (26).

Abstract: Novel membranes for use in a lithographic apparatus are disclosed. A first membrane includes a core substrate and a metal silicate layer. The metal silicate layer is an outermost layer of the first membrane. A second membrane includes a core substrate and an yttrium silicate layer. The yttrium silicate layer may be an outermost layer of the membrane or, alternatively, the yttrium silicate layer may be disposed between the core substrate and a layer of yttrium or yttrium oxide. The first and second membranes may be provided within an EUV lithographic apparatus. For example, the membranes may form part of a pellicle. The pellicle may be suitable for use adjacent to a reticle within an EUV lithographic apparatus. The membranes may form part of a dynamic gas lock. The membranes may form part of a spectral filter.

Abstract: Aspects described herein may relate to a transaction exchange platform using a streaming data platform (SDP) and microservices to process transactions according to review and approval workflows. The transaction exchange platform may receive transactions from origination sources, which may be added to the SDP as transaction objects. As the transactions are processed, the transactions may require access to a resource (e.g., a key value in a database). A microservice processing the transaction may request, from a locking microservice, a lock for the resource. The locking microservice may query a local cache to determine whether a lock exists for the resource. If the local cache determines that no lock exists for resource, the locking mechanism may employ a consensus protocol to obtain a lock for the resource from a plurality of clusters. If consensus is reached, a lock for the resource may be granted to the requesting microservice.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods for mapping power device in a string of serially connected power devices are disclosed herein. A power source may apply a source voltage to a first end of the string. A power system controller coupled to the two ends of the string may send a first signal to the power devices in the string. The power devices in the string, responsive to receiving the first signal, may measure electrical characteristics of the power devices, where the measured electrical characteristics may indicate the parasitic leakage of the power devices. The power devices may send second signals to the power system controller to report the measured electrical characteristics. The power system controller may determine the mapping of the power devices in the string based on the second signals.

Abstract: An automated process receives input tomography data and generates an optimized (customized) treatment pattern for an individual patient without relying on the physician's analysis and judgment. For example, a method for treating a cornea includes receiving tomographic data for a cornea. The method includes identifying a keratoconic defect in the cornea based on the tomographic data. The method includes segmenting the keratoconic defect into treatment zones based on predefined geometric parameters, wherein the treatment zones indicate where a cross-linking agent is to be applied on the cornea and photoactivated to treat the keratoconic defect.

Abstract: A chuck including a chuck body that supports a plurality of jaws. An outer sleeve is axially fixed with respect to the chuck body. A nut is coupled to the outer sleeve, and the nut is movable axially and radially relative to the chuck body. The nut interacts with the jaws such that when the outer sleeve rotates, the nut moves axially and radially relative to the body.

Abstract: A downhole perforating gun system provides wireless electrical communication between an inner body conductor, a switch, a detonator, and a feedthrough, and further comprising a weight module and a bearing assembly wherein the weight module is rotatable by a weight via a bearing assembly based on gravity acting on one or more of the weights.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to configuring at least one pair of devices in a physical unclonable function (PUF) apparatus and reading out at least one pair of devices for determining a persistent random PUF output. The pair of devices may be readout by measuring a physical difference between the devices/components caused by random manufacturing differences, which may then be used to determine a persistence random PUF output. Configuring the pair of devices includes measuring the random manufacturing difference and, based on that measurement, setting a readout condition for the pair of devices, which dictates aspects of the readout process that should be used for that pair of devices. Each time the pair of devices is readout in the future, it may be readout in accordance with the condition that was set at configuration.

Abstract: A convertible soothing seat for an infant is provided. The convertible soothing seat includes a support frame and a seat portion pivotably connected to the support frame. The seat portion is pivotable between a soothing configuration and a sleep-safe configuration, and includes a retractable harness. The retractable harness covers a portion of the seat portion in a covering position when the seat portion is in the soothing configuration and retracts to a retracted position wherein the retractable harness does not cover the portion of the seat portion when the seat portion is in the sleep-safe configuration.

Abstract: A network adapter includes a host interface and a scheduler. The host interface is configured to receive, from one or more hosts, packets for transmission to respective destinations over a network. The scheduler is configured to synchronize to a time-division schedule that is employed in the network, the time-division schedule specifying (i) multiple time-slots and (ii) multiple respective groups of the destinations that are reachable during the time-slots, and, based on the time-division schedule, to schedule transmission times of the packets to the network on time-slots during which the respective destinations of the packets are reachable.

Abstract: A system and method for providing accurate trajectory following for automated vehicles in dynamic environments that include receiving image data and LiDAR data associated with a dynamic environment of a vehicle. The system and method also include processing a planned trajectory of the vehicle that is based on an analysis of the image data and LiDAR data. The system and method further include communicating control signals associated with following the planned trajectory to autonomously control the vehicle to follow the planned trajectory to navigate within the dynamic environment to reach a goal.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for targeted treatment of cancer. The present disclosure provides chimeric antigen receptors and cells expressing such chimeric antigen receptors. In certain embodiments, engineered cells expressing the chimeric antigen receptors are specific for a low density cancer antigen or peptide in groove antigen.