Abstract: An apparatus for providing an efficient platform for installing screws can include a cart with wheels and a screw assembly mounted to the cart. The screw assembly can include a screwing device that rotates a drive shaft that engages a screw, a screw guide tube and a screw feeding tube connected to the screw guide tube. In another embodiment, an assembly is provided. The assembly may include a bracket for coupling to a moveable platform, a screwing device coupled to the bracket and that rotates a drive shaft that engages a screw, a screw guide tube and a screw feed tube connected to the screw guide tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing flow configurable event-driven microservices are disclosed. A system provides, for each function in sequence of steps corresponding to transaction flow associated with model of event-driven microservices, an address of associated memory space using route name. The system connects each function with another function in memory space and/or different application instances with automatic service discovery. The system transports, for event-driven microservices, an input and/or output comprising message and/or an event comprising object corresponding to payload, in an event envelope, based on a configuration file/a configuration file-like handle. Additionally, the system executes a sequence of steps connecting each function in sequential mode or parallel mode, based on a configuration file/a configuration file-like handle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for automated following behind a lead vehicle. The lead vehicle navigates a path from a starting point to a destination. The lead vehicle and the following vehicle are connected via V2V communication, allowing one or more following vehicles to detect the path taken by the lead vehicle. A computerized control system on the following vehicle (a Follow-the-Leader, or FTL, system) allows the following vehicle to mimic the behavior of the lead vehicle, with the FTL system controlling steering to guide the following vehicle along the path previously navigated by the lead vehicle. In some embodiments, the lead vehicle and following vehicle may both use Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position coordinates. In some embodiments, the following vehicle may also have a system of sensors to maintain a gap between the following and lead vehicles.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a recycled wood workpiece populated with a set of metal fasteners; accessing an internal imaging scan; detecting the set of metal fasteners embedded in the recycled wood workpiece based on internal features detected in the internal imaging scan; for each metal fastener in the set of metal fasteners, extracting an initial position and an initial orientation of the metal fastener from the internal imaging scan; generating a virtual model of the recycled wood workpiece based on the internal imaging scan; accessing an image captured by an optical sensor; detecting a first metal fastener in the recycled wood workpiece; deriving a first position and a first orientation of the first metal fastener; and, in response to identifying the first metal fastener analogous to an initial metal fastener in the virtual model, isolating the first metal fastener in the virtual model and generating a fastener removal schedule.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a platform for installing screws can include a cart with wheels, an assembly rail system mounted to the cart, and a screw assembly mounted to the assembly rail system. The screw assembly can include a screw feeding device, a screw guide tube, and a screwing device such as a drill that rotates a drive shaft that engages a screw received from the screw guide tube. The screw feeding device can include a screw rack that holds screws, and a magnetic grip that moves a screw from the screw rack to a screw feeding tube that is connected to the screw guide tube. The screw guide tube can include bristles for centering a screw received from the screw feeding tube. The apparatus can include a computer control system that operates the screwing device and the screw feeding device.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a recycled wood workpiece populated with a set of metal fasteners; accessing an internal imaging scan; detecting the set of metal fasteners embedded in the recycled wood workpiece based on internal features detected in the internal imaging scan; for each metal fastener in the set of metal fasteners, extracting an initial position and an initial orientation of the metal fastener from the internal imaging scan; generating a virtual model of the recycled wood workpiece based on the internal imaging scan; accessing an image captured by an optical sensor; detecting a first metal fastener in the recycled wood workpiece; deriving a first position and a first orientation of the first metal fastener; and, in response to identifying the first metal fastener analogous to an initial metal fastener in the virtual model, isolating the first metal fastener in the virtual model and generating a fastener removal schedule.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a recycled wood workpiece populated with a set of metal fasteners; accessing an internal imaging scan; detecting the set of metal fasteners embedded in the recycled wood workpiece based on internal features detected in the internal imaging scan; for each metal fastener in the set of metal fasteners, extracting an initial position and an initial orientation of the metal fastener from the internal imaging scan; generating a virtual model of the recycled wood workpiece based on the internal imaging scan; accessing an image captured by an optical sensor; detecting a first metal fastener in the recycled wood workpiece; deriving a first position and a first orientation of the first metal fastener; and, in response to identifying the first metal fastener analogous to an initial metal fastener in the virtual model, isolating the first metal fastener in the virtual model and generating a fastener removal schedule.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a recycled wood workpiece populated with a set of metal fasteners; accessing an internal imaging scan; detecting the set of metal fasteners embedded in the recycled wood workpiece based on internal features detected in the internal imaging scan; for each metal fastener in the set of metal fasteners, extracting an initial position and an initial orientation of the metal fastener from the internal imaging scan; generating a virtual model of the recycled wood workpiece based on the internal imaging scan; accessing an image captured by an optical sensor; detecting a first metal fastener in the recycled wood workpiece; deriving a first position and a first orientation of the first metal fastener; and, in response to identifying the first metal fastener analogous to an initial metal fastener in the virtual model, isolating the first metal fastener in the virtual model and generating a fastener removal schedule.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a recycled wood workpiece populated with a set of metal fasteners; accessing an internal imaging scan; detecting the set of metal fasteners embedded in the recycled wood workpiece based on internal features detected in the internal imaging scan; for each metal fastener in the set of metal fasteners, extracting an initial position and an initial orientation of the metal fastener from the internal imaging scan; generating a virtual model of the recycled wood workpiece based on the internal imaging scan; accessing an image captured by an optical sensor; detecting a first metal fastener in the recycled wood workpiece; deriving a first position and a first orientation of the first metal fastener; and, in response to identifying the first metal fastener analogous to an initial metal fastener in the virtual model, isolating the first metal fastener in the virtual model and generating a fastener removal schedule.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a platform for installing screws can include a cart with wheels, an assembly rail system mounted to the cart, and a screw assembly mounted to the assembly rail system. The screw assembly can include a screw feeding device, a screw guide tube, and a screwing device such as a drill that rotates a drive shaft that engages a screw received from the screw guide tube. The screw feeding device can include a screw rack that holds screws, and a magnetic grip that moves a screw from the screw rack to a screw feeding tube that is connected to the screw guide tube. The screw guide tube can include bristles for centering a screw received from the screw feeding tube. The apparatus can include a computer control system that operates the screwing device and the screw feeding device.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing natural killer (NK) cells and/or ILC3 cells using a three-stage expansion and differentiation method with media comprising stem cell mobilizing factors. Also provided herein are methods of suppressing tumor cell proliferation using the NK cells and/or ILC3 cells and the NK cell and/or ILC3 cell populations produced by the three-stage methods described herein, as well as methods of treating individuals having cancer or a viral infection, comprising administering the NK cells and/or ILC3 cells and the NK cell and/or ILC3 cell populations produced by the three-stage methods described herein to an individual having the cancer or viral infection.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of producing natural killer cells using a two-step expansion and differentiation method. Also provided herein are methods of suppressing tumor cell proliferation, of treating individuals having cancer or a viral infection, comprising administering the NK cells produced by the method to an individual having the cancer or viral infection.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions of placenta-derived adherent cell exosomes and methods of making and using the same. In one aspect, provided herein are compositions comprising exosomes produced by and/or derived from placental cells, e.g., placenta-derived adherent cells. In certain embodiments, the exosomes provided herein are produced by placenta-derived adherent cells that have been cultured in vitro for, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more passages.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a platform for installing screws can include a cart with wheels, an assembly rail system mounted to the cart, and a screw assembly mounted to the assembly rail system. The screw assembly can include a screw feeding device, a screw guide tube, and a screwing device such as a drill that rotates a drive shaft that engages a screw received from the screw guide tube. The screw feeding device can include a screw rack that holds screws, and a magnetic grip that moves a screw from the screw rack to a screw feeding tube that is connected to the screw guide tube. The screw guide tube can include bristles for centering a screw received from the screw feeding tube. The apparatus can include a computer control system that operates the screwing device and the screw feeding device.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an efficient platform for installing screws can include a cart with wheels and a screw assembly mounted to the cart. The screw assembly can include a screwing device that rotates a drive shaft that engages a screw, a screw guide tube and a screw feeding tube connected to the screw guide tube. In another embodiment, an assembly is provided. The assembly may include a bracket for coupling to a moveable platform, a screwing device coupled to the bracket and that rotates a drive shaft that engages a screw, a screw guide tube and a screw feed tube connected to the screw guide tube.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions of placenta-derived adherent cell exosomes and methods of making and using the same. In one aspect, provided herein are compositions comprising exosomes produced by and/or derived from placental cells, e.g., placenta-derived adherent cells. In certain embodiments, the exosomes provided herein are produced by placenta-derived adherent cells that have been cultured in vitro for, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more passages.

Abstract: Provided herein are stimulated placental stem cells and methods of treating individuals having diseases or disorders of the circulatory system using stimulated placental cells. The invention also provides methods of inducing angiogenesis using such stimulated cells or populations of cells comprising such stimulated cells.

Abstract: Methods, computing devices, and computer-program products are provided for implementing a virtual personal assistant. In various implementations, a virtual personal assistant can be configured to receive sensory input, including at least two different types of information. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine semantic information from the sensory input, and to identify a context-specific framework. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine a current intent. Determining the current intent can include using the semantic information and the context-specific framework. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine a current input state. Determining the current input state can include using the semantic information and one or more behavioral models. The behavioral models can include one or more interpretations of previously-provided semantic information.

Abstract: Methods, computing devices, and computer-program products are provided for implementing a virtual personal assistant. In various implementations, a virtual personal assistant can be configured to receive sensory input, including at least two different types of information. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine semantic information from the sensory input, and to identify a context-specific framework. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine a current intent. Determining the current intent can include using the semantic information and the context-specific framework. The virtual personal assistant can further be configured to determine a current input state. Determining the current input state can include using the semantic information and one or more behavioral models. The behavioral models can include one or more interpretations of previously-provided semantic information.

Abstract: A system may be configured to receive via a user interface a user-initiated prompt to begin start-up of a computer system firmware via access to a firmware start-up utility. The system may also generate a request for user authentication, and detect a private key for user authentication. The system may also determine whether the private key corresponds to a public key previously registered with the computer system firmware, and initiate, when the private key corresponds to the public key, completion of the start-up of the computer system firmware and allowance of operation of the computer system firmware via access to the firmware start-up utility. When the private key does not correspond to the public key, the system may prevent at least one aspect of an operation associated with the start-up of the computer system firmware.