Abstract: A composite suture needle configured for passing through a smaller cannula used in minimally invasive surgery includes a curved elongated body made of stainless steel. The curved elongated body has a proximal end and a distal end with a pointed tip. The composite suture needle includes a sheath overlying the curved elongated body. The sheath is curved for conforming to the shape of the curved elongated body. The sheath is made of a material that is more elastic than the curved elongated body. The pointed tip of the curved elongated body extends distally beyond the distal end of the sheath. The curved elongated body is made of stainless steel and the sheath is made of a material, such as nitinol, that is more elastic than the elongated body.

Abstract: Blockchain validation is provided by receiving a first validation request of a blockchain. A hashing algorithm is applied to a first block of the blockchain to generate a first hash value. In response to the first validation request of the blockchain, a first image from a plurality of images is provided on a display device. The first image is selected to be provided for display on the display device based on the first hash value. The first image may be compared to a second image that was provided for display on the display device prior to the first validation request and that image was provided based on a second hash value to determine whether the first image and the second image are substantially similar, which indicates that no changes have been made to the data in the blockchain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter (1) for cleaning fluids, having a main part (2) consisting of polyethylene particles (3) that have been bonded to each other by means of a generative manufacturing process such as to obtain a predefined macro- and microstructure, the main part (2) having regions in which the porosity is deliberately adjusted to varying values. The invention also relates to a method for producing a filter (1), the filter being generatively manufactured by selective laser sintering of polyethylene particles (3). The invention finally relates to a method for ensuring fluid flow.

Abstract: A distributed inductance integrated field effect transistor (FET) structure, comprising a plurality of FETs. Each FET comprises a plurality of source regions, a gate region having a plurality of gate fingers extending from a gate bus bar, a drain region having a plurality of drain finger extending from a drain bus bar between the plurality of gate fingers, wherein the gate region controls current flow in a conductive channel between the drain region and source region. A first distributed inductor connects the gate regions of adjacent ones of the plurality of FETs; and a second distributed inductor connects the drain regions of adjacent ones of the plurality of FETs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for remote diagnostics of automobiles are disclosed. In one embodiment, amethod may include the steps of reading, by a mobile device, a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a vehicle, transmitting, by the mobile device, the VIN to a diagnostic database, receiving, by the mobile device, an indication that an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) diagnostic tool is required for a diagnosis of the vehicle, and selecting the OEM diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of the vehicle in response to the indication that an OEM diagnostic tool is required for the diagnosis of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to certain semifluorinated compounds and to compositions comprising such compounds. The invention further provides the use of the compounds and of the compositions as medicaments for topical administration to the eye.

Abstract: A solid ion conductive material can include a complex metal halide. The complex metal halide can include at least one alkali metal element. In an embodiment, the solid ion conductive material including the complex metal halide can be a single crystal. In another embodiment, the ion conductive material including the complex metal halide can be a crystalline material having a particular crystallographic orientation. A solid electrolyte can include the ion conductive material including the complex metal halide.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering particles from an air stream has an inlet channel through which the air to be purified flows, at least one filter element through which the air can flow and which is interchangeably held in a flow channel, and an outlet channel through which the purified air flows, an insertion chamber which can be closed by a door and from which a filter element can be fed to the flow channel, and an output chamber closable by a closure element, into which a filter element is feedable from the flow channel. The closure element of the output chamber is locked in the closed position via a locking mechanism when the door on the insertion chamber is opened and the output chamber and the insertion chamber are connected to the same flow channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of an alpha-amylase having improved stability to chelating agents relative to its parent enzyme, compositions comprising the variants, nucleic acids encoding the variants, methods of producing the variants, and methods for using the variants.

Abstract: A connection device for the connection of a conductor end includes a housing having a slotted link, a busbar section having a slotted link aligned with the housing slotted link, an d clamping spring assembly rotatably connected with the housing and operable between an open position and a contact position with the conductor end. A rotary lever assembly including a rotary lever element is operably connected with the clamping spring assembly. The rotary lever element has a cam section and a control curve section on which the clamping spring assembly slides during movement into the contact position. A clamping device is arranged on the cam section and is retained by the housing and busbar slotted links.

Abstract: A busbar for electrically contacting an electrical conductor has two mutually opposing side walls and a bearing wall for the electrical conductor. The bearing wall extends between the side walls and transversely or substantially transversely to same, wherein the side walls and the bearing wall extend in an insertion direction and define a receiving space for receiving the electrical conductor. At least one electrically conductive projection is provided on one of the side walls and/or the bearing wall. The width of the projection is less than the width of the bearing wall.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises: Providing opportunity data about an endeavor, enterprise or venture by an opportunity provider to a computer, wherein the opportunity data is defined by prosecution resources needed to prosecute an opportunity, a best possible outcome in case of success of the prosecution and an ask participation quote, Obtaining a plurality of sponsor data items each including a participation offer in a bookbuilding process wherein the participation offers each include a bid participation quote and an amount of sponsoring resources; Selecting one or more participation offers from the obtained participation offers depending on the ask participation quote, the prosecution resources, as well as on the bid participation quotes and the sponsoring resources of each of the plurality of the sponsor data items; and Automatically matching the sponsor data items associated with the selected one or more participation offers with the opportunity data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel sulfoperoxycarboxylic acid compounds, and methods for making and using them. The sulfoperoxycarboxylic compounds of the invention are storage stable, water soluble and have low to no odor. Further, the compounds of the present invention can be formed from non-petroleum based renewable materials. The compounds of the present invention can be used as antimicrobials, and bleaching agents. The compounds of the present invention are also suitable for use as coupling agents.

Abstract: A mechanical assembly for securing a first sheet to a second sheet includes a first projection having a first sidewall and a first top wall. The first sidewall extends from the first top wall at a first acute angle. The first sidewall includes a first top end and a first bottom end. A first discontinuity is defined in the first sidewall between the first top end and the first bottom end. A first base wall extends from the first bottom end. The first base wall extends generally parallel to the first top wall.

Abstract: A perforating gun may include a gun carrier extending in an axial direction and a tandem seal adapter (TSA). The gun carrier having a maximum outer carrier diameter. The TSA may include a first TSA region having a first TSA outer diameter, a second TSA region having a second TSA outer diameter, and a shoulder surface formed between an outer surface of the first TSA region and an outer surface of the second TSA region. The second TSA outer diameter may be larger than the first TSA outer diameter and smaller than the maximum outer carrier diameter. A portion of the gun carrier may abut with the shoulder surface.

Abstract: A doorbell system may project an illumination on a surface. The doorbell may include a housing, a button, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, a motion detector, and a light source. In some embodiments, the doorbell includes at least one lens coupled to a bottom surface of the housing adjacent the light source. The at least one lens may be configured to allow light from the light source to pass through the at least one lens such that when the electronic doorbell is attached to a building the light source projects an illumination onto a ground surface in front of the doorbell.

Abstract: A method performed by an autonomous vehicle includes identifying a condition preventing the autonomous vehicle from proceeding along an intended route. The method also includes prompting a passenger of the autonomous vehicle to interact with a driver of a first vehicle in response to identifying the condition. The method further includes receiving, from the passenger, an input at an interface of the autonomous vehicle indicating a successful interaction or an unsuccessful interaction with the driver. The method also includes controlling the autonomous vehicle to proceed along the intended route based on the input indicating the successful interaction with the driver.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a collection of photovoltaic modules, a base supporting the collection of photovoltaic modules, and a damper coupled between the collection of photovoltaic modules and the base. The damper resists movement of the photovoltaic modules relative to the base. The damper has a first damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a first rate relative to the base and a second damping ratio when the collection of photovoltaic modules moves at a second rate relative to the base, and the damper passively transitions from the first damping ratio to the second damping ratio.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to new polymer linked multimeric guanosine-3?, 5?-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) analogues that modulate the cGMP-signaling system, preferably having activating properties, and more preferably being activators of cGMP dependent protein kinase (PKG), and related monomeric precursors thereof. The invention is also directed to related monomeric compounds, which may also show modulating activity and/or may serve as monomeric precursors of the multimers. The invention further relates to the use of such compounds as reagents for signal transduction research and as modulators of cyclic nucleotide-regulated binding proteins and isoenzymes thereof, and as ligands for affinity chromatography, for antibody production or for diagnostic applications e.g. on chip surfaces.

Abstract: A filter device for filtering particles from an air flow has an inlet channel through which the air to be cleaned flows, at least one filter element through which the air can flow and which is held replaceably in a flow channel, and an outlet channel through which the cleaned air flows. The filter device has an insertion chamber which can be closed by a door and from which a filter element can be fed to the flow channel, and an output chamber which can be closed by a closure element and into which a filter element can be fed from the flow channel. A cover is attachable to the filter element, which covers a filter cake on the filter element so that the unit of filter element and cover is removable from the output chamber together.