Abstract: A method for localizing an abnormality in a travel path of an optical component in or for a lithography apparatus includes: a) moving the optical component in at least one first degree of freedom; b) detecting a movement (Rz) of the optical component and/or a force acting on the optical component in at least one second degree of freedom; and c) localizing the abnormality as a function of the movement detected in b) and/or the force detected in b).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for driver assistance, wherein a vehicle automatically performs a driving maneuver. In the method, a service brake of the vehicle is first actuated. Then a parking brake of the vehicle is controlled in such a way that the parking brake exerts no braking influence and that the free travel to be overcome for actuation of the parking brake is minimized. In subsequent steps, the service brake of the vehicle is released and an automatic driving maneuver is performed, wherein, if a fault or a specified event occurs, the parking brake is actuated such that the vehicle is braked to a standstill and is kept at a standstill. The disclosure further relates to a driver assistance system that is designed to perform the method.

Abstract: Inductors that generate a reduced spurious electric-field. One example can provide an inductor where the terminals of the inductor are located at positions that reduce the spurious electric field by determining the types of signals conveyed at the terminals of the inductor and then selecting locations for the terminals based on that determination. For example, where a dynamic differential signal is applied to the inductor, the terminals of the inductor can be positioned near a physical center of the inductor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and processes of preparing niraparib and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and intermediates and their salts useful for the synthesis of niraparib.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprises surgical instruments for use with an implantable interspinous device having at least one pair of wings for securing the implantable device to a spinous process. The instrument system may include a surgical instrument for expanding or spreading the pair of wings to accommodate the spinous process. Further, a surgical instrument may be provided for crimping or compressing the pair of wings against the spinous process for secure attachment of the device to a vertebra. The surgical instruments may be configured similar to pliers and apply force to the pair of wings within a predetermined range so as to avoid damage, weakening or breakage of the pair of wings. The surgical instrument system may also include interspinous devices of differing sizes.

Abstract: Devices and methods that allow a rod to be offset in a relatively small amount of space are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, first and second offset rods can be joined by a plate-type connector having a reduced thickness suitable for insertion into a small space, e.g., between adjacent bone anchors. In some embodiments, first and second offset rods can be joined by a curved connector that conforms to adjacent bone anchors and likewise has a reduced thickness.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor array for in-situ monitoring directed self-assembly of a self-assembling material is provided. The capacitive sensor array includes a bottom electrode plate including a plurality of bottom electrodes that are spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another, template structures located on the bottom electrode plate, wherein the template structures define trenches therebetween, each of the trenches exposing at least one of the plurality of bottom electrodes; and a top electrode plate assembled on the bottom electrode plate, wherein the top electrode plate includes a plurality of top electrodes that are spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another, the top electrodes facing and intersecting, but electrically isolated from, the bottom electrodes.

Abstract: A monitoring system is disclosed for in vivo monitoring of preselected physiological parameters associated with acute and/or chronic tissue compromise or failure in one or multiple tissue/organ sites in real time. In one method, a body portion of a surgical stapling device is positioned adjacent a first tissue section, an anvil assembly adapted to engage the body portion is positioned adjacent a second tissue section, and a monitoring device is positioned adjacent the first and/or second tissue sections. The monitoring device includes a sensor adapted to measure a preselected physiological parameter and a transmitter for transmitting signal to an extracorporeal receiving unit. The surgical stapling device is fired to mechanically secure the first and second tissue sections with at least one staple and the preselected physiological parameter is monitored via the information transmitted from the monitoring device to the receiving unit.

Abstract: A clathrate of 1-methylcyclopropene with ?-cyclodextrin, obtained as a solid particulate product, is modified by comminuting, classifying, or both to obtain a modified particulate. When subjected to identical atmospheric disgorgement conditions of humidity and temperature, identical masses of the modified and unmodified particulates exhibit different rates of 1-methylcyclopropene disgorgement. Specifically, we have found that a smaller mean particle size is inversely related to a greater rate of 1-methylcyclopropene release.

Abstract: A device provides remote ophthalmic examinations and includes one, plural or all of the following capabilities: slit lamp examinations, visual acuity examinations, fundoscopy, and eye pressure assessment. Preferred devices enable a patient to self-align or adjust device themselves without the help of a professional, collect and store data and can transmit data when a connection is available to a professional or an analysis system, such as a machine learning system, for evaluation.

Abstract: A minimal action, invasive blood constituent device can streamline the process for the self-monitoring of blood-related tests by holding and facilitating the use of some or all of the tools for obtaining and testing a blood sample. The device can include a slider, that when pumped, causes the device to spring-load a lancet and eject a testing strip. The device can include a trigger that, when pressed, activates the lancet by unloading the spring. A strip-lancet apparatus can combine the roles of two disposable products—a testing strip and a lancing needle—into an apparatus that can be configured for piercing the testing site as well as receiving the blood sample. A testing strip apparatus can facilitate the use and/or disposal of testing strips. A lancet apparatus can facilitate the use and/or disposal of lancets.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and compositions provided herein relate to preparation of beads encapsulating biomolecules for performing sequential reactions on the biomolecules. Some embodiments include preparation of nucleic acid reactions within the bead, wherein the bead includes pores that allow diffusion of molecules into or out of the beads while retaining other molecules of interest.

Abstract: Genetically engineered plants that express a quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase (MQO) are provided. The plant comprises a modified gene for the quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase. The modified gene comprises (i) a promoter and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase. The promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase. The modified gene is configured such that transcription of the nucleic acid sequence is initiated from the promoter and results in expression of the quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase. The plants can express the quinone-utilizing malate dehydrogenase in mitochondria of cells of the plants. Conversion of malate to oxaloacetate in the mitochondria can be increased, resulting in increased crop performance and/or seed, fruit or tuber yield. Methods and compositions for making the plants also are provided.

Abstract: A pipe support assembly including a pipe support shell body and at least one standing saddle element. The pipe support shell body includes a substantially semi-cylindrical wall portion having a length which is greater than a width thereof, and have longitudinal rims; and outwardly extending flanges formed at each of the longitudinal rims of the semi-cylindrical wall, wherein the flanges are provided with through holes distributed over the length thereof. The at least one standing saddle element includes an anchoring portion adapted to be anchored to a support structure and a saddle portion to receive the convex side of the semi-cylindrical wall of the pipe support shell, the saddle portion including snap members at its rims to snap around the flanges of the pipe support shell body.

Abstract: A non-contact sensor for determining orientation of an object, such as a tire and wheel assembly of a vehicle, includes a projector assembly having a light emitter, a lens assembly and a mask, with the mask including mask apertures and the light emitter configured to project light through the lens assembly and mask apertures and onto the object, and with the mask apertures creating a light pattern of projected light onto the object. The sensor also includes an imager configured to image reflections of the light pattern from the object, and a processor. The projector assembly and imager are angled with respect to one another, and the processor is configured to process imaged reflections of the light pattern to derive the orientation of the object, such as the alignment orientation of the tire and wheel assembly.

Abstract: A clathrate of 1-methylcyclopropene with ?-cyclodextrin, obtained as a solid particulate product, is modified by comminuting, classifying, or both to obtain a modified particulate. When subjected to identical atmospheric disgorgement conditions of humidity and temperature, identical masses of the modified and unmodified particulates exhibit different rates of 1-methylcyclopropene disgorgement. Specifically, we have found that a smaller mean particle size is inversely related to a greater rate of 1-methylcyclopropene release.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting the transmission of enveloped viruses, which entails applying a composition containing a high molecular weight hydrophobically-modified polymer to an infectable or ingestible surface that may contain viruses and wherein said anti-viral composition is substantially free of surfactant having an HLB greater than about 12.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cradle for an infusion pump unit. The cradle has a proximal side and a distal side, and the distal side has an infusion pump unit attachment structure for attaching an initially separate infusion pump unit. The cradle includes a cradle base, a flow channel for a liquid drug, and a pierceable septum. The pierceable septum covers an opening of the flow channel and seals the flow channel. An inner piercing core of the pierceable septum is movably mounted with respect to the cradle base.

Abstract: An acoustic monitoring system characterizes, classifies, and geo-locates anthropogenic and natural sounds in near real time. The system includes a compact array of three acoustic vector sensors, which measures acoustic pressure and the three-dimensional particle velocity vector associated with the propagation of an acoustic wave, thereby inherently providing bearing information to an underwater source of sound. Beamforming techniques provide sound source localization, allowing for characterization of the acoustic signature of specific underwater acoustic sources.